By Neil Evans
Track Soft 6 and rail out 4m from 1600m to 350m and 3m the remainder
Race 1 – 12.55pm: 2YO & 3YO MAIDEN HCP (1007m)
Metro-based three-year-old 1. Bokeem has had three runs back this prep in deeper company, and will be advantaged back on a soft surface.
Racing returns to Taree on Tuesday.Credit: Getty
Dangers: The market will be a key indicator with 3. Belle Isle, who pulled up with problems after dropping out on debut when backed from $2.60 into $2.35 and has trialled at the provincials since. Gets in light too with a 4kg claimer engaged. Both 4. Montagliari fourth-up from a softer draw; and Shooting To Win filly 5. Exclusive Battle on debut behind a trial here; can add value into trifecta and first fours.
How to play it: Bokeem to win
Race 2 – 1.35pm: CLASS 1 & MAIDEN PLATE (2018m)
A significant step-up distance can pay dividends here for provincial four-year-old 1. Blue Guitar fifth-up. Failed to finish off in consecutive CL1s against better opposition, but was only a few lengths from a dominant and smart winner last start when going up to the mile. Has always raced like he needs the staying journey, and back in a weaker race he gets his chance to win again.
Dangers: Early favourite 2. Triple Money will be hard to hold out fourth-up after running home late as a hot favourite at Ballina 19 days ago, and a far superior jockey takes over. At much bigger odds, keep safe 10. Lovely Thoughts who drops in weight over further at her fourth start; while 3. Doutelle was scratched from Goulburn on Monday to be saved for this; and 9. I’m Scarlett improves sharply on a quick backup with gear changes.
How to play it: Blue Guitar to win
Race 3 – 2.10pm: MAIDEN PLATE (1262m)
At the value, keen to back home track four-year-old 5. More Than Xtra first-up in preferred soft going. Was inconsistent through his first prep, but this is fairly weak, and he was strong through the line in a recent trial. The more rain the better he’s placed.
Dangers: Improving 7. Working Capital is primed third-up from a nice stalking draw after twice running into the placings against similar opposition. Watch the betting on local two-year-old 11. Santatime by Showtime who debuts from the inside barrier off a quiet trial. Gap to the rest headed by 9. I’m Madeline handily placed second-up from a soft draw.
How to play it: More Than Xtra each way
Race 4 – 2.45pm: CLASS 2 HCP (1412m)
Ultra-honest three-year-old 2. Chain Of Gold is ready to win again back at country level fourth-up. Has worked home from just off the speed to miss narrowly in consecutive provincial CL1s, and drawn to get cover here, he can claim a second career win at his 12th start.
Dangers: Last start provincial CL1 winner 1. Propel Motion is well over the odds despite drawing wide; while 4. Hard To Dismiss did her best work late in a more than handy country CL3 fourth-up, and is also real each-way value from a wide gate. Included in exotics 5. Packer with a light weight after a 4kg claim; and progressive local mare 6. Tayla’s One shooting for a third win from four starts this prep.
How to play it: Chain Of Gold to win
Race 5 – 3.20pm: CLASS 3 HCP (1262m)
One of the more open races on the program. Headed by progressive home track three-year-old 9. Lion Class who can strike fifth-up at good odds. Has kept finding the line under strong market support in three runs since a dominant CL1 win here in early May, and while this is a further step up in grade, he’s well-placed carrying only 54kg after the claim.
Dangers: Plenty of them starting with metro visitor 1. Cool Lad who has been in and around the money in slightly deeper races this prep, and is a proven weight carrier. Watch the betting on 2. Evocator who was competitive in deeper metro fields last prep, and resumes via a forward open trial here. Keep safe too lightly raced 4. Convincibility who resumes in blinkers from the inside draw behind two trials. Be shocked if the winner comes outside those four, but at very big odds, 3. Heir Apparent and 5. I Know The Trainer both second-up; can pump plenty of value into wider exotics.
How to play it: Lion Class each way and box trifecta 1,2,4,9
Race 6 – 3.55pm: BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1614m)
Out past the mile in a race lacking quality augurs well for provincial mare 4. Miss Shalaa fourth-up. Only held her ground in a stronger class 11 days ago, but the track was a Heavy 10 and in very poor condition. Back to this level on preferred soft ground is the boost she needs at good odds.
Dangers: Must include improving 3. Cirebon who was dominant in winning a CL2 two runs back before failing here in similar company 12 days ago. Stepping up in grade off a dominant off-speed win, 7. Pippen is very honest, but would still need to find a length or two against a few of these. Improving filly 6. Inferencia deep into her prep; and 10. Yehbut drawn inside fourth-up; can both run into the minor money.
How to play it: Miss Shalaa to win
Race 7 – 4.35pm: BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1007m)
Like tough five-year-old 3. Zoom Outcome dropping back in grade deep into the current prep. Was just over two lengths from the winner in a much deeper CL3 Highway two starts ago before a fair effort in a slicker race at Scone 18 days ago. Supremely placed against this lot after the junior rider’s 4kg claim, and normally saves his best for rain-affected ground.
Dangers: Improving mare 6. No Filter is also hard fit and bursting to win again. Loomed like the winner from well back at Muswellbrook in similar grade before being knocked out very late by a big finisher. Draws to get lovely cover around midfield. Resuming 7. My One has more than enough ability, and both career wins from 17 starts so far have come fresh. Gap to the rest headed by 1. October Revolution almost weighted out of it under 63.5kg; and lightly raced 2. Classic Dreamer first-up with a 2kg claim.
How to play it: Zoom Outcome to win
BEST BETS
R4 2. CHAIN OF GOLD
R7 3. ZOOM OUTCOME
BEST VALUE
R6 4. MISS SHALAA
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
